I have to apologize for only writing one update yesterday. It was pretty late when we got back to the hospital and I pretty much crashed because we ate as if it were our last meal ever. We are pretty sure Lone Star will never invite 15 Marines back for a free dinner again.
As it turns out, Ryan did not make it in time to eat with us but he was waiting for us when we got back. I am still amazed every time I look at him because he really looks like a Marine. The pictures do not do justice. I guess unless you've been surrounded by Marines for the past few weeks you might not understand, but you would think Ryan has been a Marine a lot longer than one week. Don't worry, he is still a very goofy Ryan Rice. It's going to take a lot more than 13 weeks of boot camp to wipe that goofy grin off his face. But he still wants everybody to know he's a "hardcharger devildog." In the few hours I have been around the Rice boys today, I learned how to make a quick peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the Drill Instructors seeing me and how to get my hummer in perfect condition for a convoy, and everything between. In other words, there is no need to wonder what the conversation has been about.
I think they started getting a little antsy talking about war and the Marine Corps, so they decided to blow some steam and play Halo 2 together. That was my cue to leave the room and let them be boys.
We have had a few more visitors lately which have made the time pass quickly. The Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps came by yesterday to talk to Aaron again. This time around, Aaron was much more alert and told them his plans for the future, which is to stay in the Marine Corps and go through OCS (Officer Candidate School) to become an officer. This is a rigorous 12 weeks of physical training, and no Marine has ever gone through with a prosthetic that we know of. Leave it to Aaron to make history.
Today will be a very relaxing day, hopefully. Ryan makes everything so fun. I'm especially grateful he is here while Aaron is chained (not literally) to his bed.
Well I'm going to cut it short right here so there might be something to write about later today. Thank you for your prayers and support.